Tarts Cake Plate Conundrum

Summary: Different options for one new element in the Tarts Come to Tea.

This is a quick post to see what you think about cake plate options.

Tarts Come to Tea, 4/19/2009
Tarts Come to Tea, 4/19/2009

Here is one of the renditions of the Tarts Come to Tea from 4/19/2009. As you can see I redid the cup in the middle with a to go cup. I am pretty sure I have moved elements around since I took this picture.

One issue with selecting fabrics is I still have a Pamela Allen hangover and I want more pattern. The Child was in the room doing his artwork and offered up his opinion, strenuously!

Cake Plate Tryout #1
Cake Plate Tryout #1

I really liked the fabric with the flowers. This was the first fabric I tried and it reminded me of a china pattern.

Cake Plate Tryout #2
Cake Plate Tryout #2

I thought this was more like a china pattern than the fabric in the first example and less regular.

Cake Plate Tryout #3
Cake Plate Tryout #3

The blue plate special fabric was appealing. The Child thought it was too regular.

Cake Plate Tryout #4
Cake Plate Tryout #4

The pink melted a bit into the orange background, though I thought it picked up the other pinks in the piece.

Cake Plate Tryout #5
Cake Plate Tryout #5

I finally gave in and tried a dark-ish blue. Before I did, The Child would just roll his eyes at me when I showed him the above choices and remind me that none of them were solids. He didn’t really care about any other fabrics or patterns in the quilt.

Cake Plate Pottery
Cake Plate Pottery

I finally gave in to certain individuals and created a solid blue cake plate.

China Cake Plate
China Cake Plate

I wanted to see a different cake plate, so I made another pattern and cut it out of patterned fabric. I really like this version of the cake plate. It is definitely busier and the cake isn’t highlighted as much.

I am thinking of adding a cherry to this cake.

Author: Jaye

Quiltmaker who enjoys writing and frozen chocolate covered bananas.

10 thoughts on “Tarts Cake Plate Conundrum”

  1. I like both the cake plates, and don’t think you would be going “wrong” with either choice. They both look great.

    From a very analytical point of view, I think I would have tried to get the best of both worlds…a blue fabric because it zings against the orange, but instead of a solid blue, maybe a print to get that movement you are looking for. That first fabric “tryout” you auditioned has a lot of blue, and is a print…I probably would have gone with that just from a design point of view. But I also like the idea of trying to get a fabric that looks like China, and think your second cake plate really nails that and still has a hint of the blue to compliment the orange!

  2. Beena: Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts. I really liked the first choice with the flowers as well. I like the second choice of the cake plate that I already cut out, but think it is a bit light. I’ll have to think about it.

  3. I think I like the second one better. But I like it because the cake is emphasized more to my eye (stronger contrast between lighter fabric and the dark cake). Definitely needs a cherry on top, or rasperries at least.

  4. I love the China plate version but have to stop looking at the cake because I’m about to get an irresistible chocolate itch… Can’t wait for the cherry on top!

    Your website looks so great now, and is inspiring and fun!

  5. Julie: I was thinking that I liked the second one better. I am definitely in a more is more mode (re: conflicting?? fabric patterns). I don’t think either of the choices really fight too much, but there is definitely a lot going on which I am liking. I want to put a fabric (machine appliqued) cheery and then stitch the stem with some nice fat perl cotton. I really wish I were at Asilomar with Pamela right now. After that class, life is just too mundane for my excess of creative energy.

  6. Andrea (of 1000 journals film fame!): thank you sooo much for reading. It seems like the china plate is winning at the moment. I have to rush off, but looking forward to seeing what others say.

  7. I like the patterned cake plate — it reminds me of the pressed glass cake plate my grandmother had when I was growing up. I think it is enough contrast with the cake, without demanding attention. I think the (semi-) solid blue detracts from the cake.

    Definitely a cherry on top!

  8. TFQ: thanks for commenting! I think the china plate is winning. Poor Child gets outvoted. I may put another option up tonight or I may just stitch. We will see.

  9. When just looking at the flat rectangle, I was thinking I was going to be on the side of The Child – but as a cake plate, I like the paterned one. This may all be a moot point as I’m posting days after…anyway, I want it to pop out a bit more – maybe with the stitching you do – if you use something thick – like beading that is sometimes around cake plates (do you know what I mean? sometimes it looks like they have glass bead drops on the edge?), you could do that in a really bright color and it would make the plate pop a bit more.

  10. Kristen: I was thinking of glass filigreed cake plates as well.

    All: I may try one more different fabric just to satisfy my curiosity. I may as well since I have no time to sew right at the moment. Stay tuned. Perhaps I will post for when I am gone.

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